Why you need to take the time to reflect during your next break
We are terrible at acknowledging the progress we make when it comes to our health and wellbeing.
It's one of the biggest reasons people end up giving up.
We're far to quick to beat ourselves up over a lack of progress, and far to slow to recognise and celebrate progress along the way.
Which is why tracking how you’re doing through measurable, visual means like progress pics, weight, measurements, speed, distance etc etc is really important. But so is reflecting on the process as a whole and
looking back on your personal growth since you started.
The low points where you're doubting why you even started. The breakthroughs that gave you the boost to keep going. The big wins along the way that made it all worthwhile. Or the unexpected pride you took from how you handled a challenging moment.
None of these will show up in pictures or the scales but they are just as significant.
Actually they are more significant! Whenever clients have holidays or time away I always encourage them to take a little time to reflect on all these things.
When you step back from it all you give yourself the opportunity to appreciate the progress you're making.
Examples of this might be, getting back on track quickly after a boozy weekend away and not dwelling on whether it's ruined your progress so far. Or embracing small habits like still going for a walk during a busy week and not just thinking f*ck it.
When you stop and look back on these things you realise just how significant they’ve actually been in the whole process.
But you can only do this by doing both those things; stopping, and looking back.
There's no right or wrong way to approach this
reflection. Some people like to journal and physically write. I've worked with other people where it's enough to just think through it all.
Whatever appeals to you, next time you have some time off work, take some time to reflect.
As Cory Allen says, it strengthens your perspective, it allows for that crucial appreciation of your progress, and it keeps the whole process moving forward. On that note, I'm going to sign off for a couple of weeks to do my own bit of resting, recharging and reflection.
